Applying for a Work Permit in Singapore involves 5 steps that are done by the employer. Check your quota and levy eligibility. Submit the application through MOM’s WP Online portal. Receive In-Principle Approval (IPA). Arrange for the worker to come and undergo medical examination. Issue the Work Permit. Most online applications are processed in 1 week. The whole process, from preparation to the worker’s first day, usually takes 3-5 weeks when documents are complete and right from the start.
How Do I Apply for a Work Permit in Singapore?
In Singapore, a Work Permit application is always employer-driven – the employer or a MOM-licensed employment agency applies on behalf of the foreign worker. The worker can not apply himself. That means the employer is 100% responsible for quota eligibility, documentation, fees, insurance and compliance from application through to the end of the employment contract.
The application is made through MOM’s Work Permit Online (WPOL) system via a CorpPass account. But before employers even get to the portal, they have to do pre-application checks to make sure the hire is quota-eligible and fully documented. The most common cause of MOM rejections and delays is the submission of an incomplete application. If you’re hiring for the first time, see our complete guide on how to hire foreign workers in Singapore for the full hiring process overview.
The five steps to apply for a Work Permit in Singapore:
- Check quota, levy eligibility and worker eligibility
- Collect the required paperwork and get the worker’s written agreement
- Apply via WP Online and pay the SGD 35 application fee
- Get In-Principle Approval (IPA) and prepare to welcome the worker
- Arrange medical examination, purchase insurance and security bond and then issue Work Permit
- Not sure a Work Permit is the right pass for your hire? See our comparison of S Pass vs Employment Pass to confirm you’re applying for the correct work visa.
What Documents Do I Need?
When you open WP Online, having the right documents ready can save you a lot of time and reduce the risk of rejection. MOM will not process incomplete applications. Resubmitting your application will restart your processing timeline.
Documents required from the employer:
- Active CorpPass account associated with your company’s UEN
- Quota confirmed – checked through WP Online prior to application
- Contract of employment with signature on salary, position, job description and contract period
- Security bond arrangement (non-Malaysian workers) – your insurer must send the details of the bond to MOM before the worker arrives
- Details of WICA and medical insurance policy – to cover minimum of SGD 60,000 per year per worker
- For a full cost breakdown including security bond, insurance, and MOM fees, see our guide on how much it costs to hire a foreign worker in Singapore.
Documents required from the worker:
- Valid passport with at least 25 months validity (to support a 2 year Work Permit)
- Written consent signed by the worker authorising the employer to apply on his/her behalf
- Bio-data Form (for workers from Non-Traditional Source countries – India, Bangladesh, Myanmar)
- Educational Certificates or Trade Qualifications (for higher skilled R1 tier)
- Passport-sized photographs as per MOM specifications
MOM may also require workers in the construction, marine and process sectors to show proof of safety certification or relevant trade test results. Before preparing your document bundle, check MOM’s sector-specific requirements at mom.gov.sg.
How Long Does Work Permit Approval Take?
MOM processes most online Work Permit applications within 1 week (about 7 working days) from the date of complete submission. This is the normal processing time for simple applications that have all the documentation in order and no outstanding compliance issues with the employer.
Processing may take longer in the following situations:
- Additional Documents Requested – If MOM asks for additional documents that were not submitted with your original application, processing will take an additional 3 to 5 weeks from the date you resubmit the application.
- Where an employer appeals a refused application the time frame is extended by a further 3 to 5 weeks.
- Employer compliance flags – Companies with outstanding levy arrears, past MOM violations or outstanding work pass issues may be subject to longer scrutiny.
- High Volume Periods — Applications received during peak hiring periods may take a little longer to process.
Realistic total timeline from start to first working day:
| Stage | Estimated Duration |
| Pre-application preparation | 1–2 weeks |
| MOM application processing | ~1 week |
| Worker travel and arrival | 1–2 weeks |
| Medical exam, SIP, pass issuance | 3–5 working days |
| Total: Worker’s first day | 3–5 weeks |
Pre-application preparation is significantly reduced when working with a MOM licensed agency. Experienced agencies have pre-screened candidates and document templates available from day one.
What Happens After In-Principle Approval?
In-Principle Approval (IPA) is MOM’s conditional green light – it means the Work Permit application has been approved in principle, subject to the worker fulfilling the remaining arrival requirements. The IPA is not the actual Work Permit. There are a number of significant steps that need to be completed before the permit can actually be issued.
Step 1 — Download and check the IPA letter
Download the letter IPA Log in to WP Online Ensure all worker details including the spelling of the name and the passport number are exactly the same as on the worker’s passport. Any discrepancies must be corrected before the worker travels or he will be denied entry into Singapore.
Step 2 — Purchase security bond (non-Malaysian workers)
Prior to the worker’s arrival, each non-Malaysian Work Permit holder must have the employer purchase a security bond of SGD 5,000. Your insurer has to send the bond details to MOM – This can take up to 3 working days so do it immediately after IPA.
Step 3 — Purchase medical and WICA insurance
There must be medical insurance in place of at least SGD 60,000 per year before the Work Permit is issued. WP Online Provide insurance information before worker arrives.
Step 4 — Send IPA letter to the worker
The worker’s entry document into Singapore is the letter from the IPA. The worker must take a printed copy when travelling. Ensure the worker’s passport is not expired – you will need at least 25 months left on the passport for a full 2 year Work Permit.
Step 5 — Arrange pre-employment medical examination
Upon arrival in Singapore, the worker will have to go for a pre-employment medical examination at an approved clinic. The employer is responsible for arranging and paying for the examination.
What Is the Medical Examination Requirement?
All Work Permit card holders are required to have a medical examination before the card can be issued. This is a mandatory MOM requirement, no examination no permit. The examination must be conducted at a MOM-approved clinic or hospital in Singapore.
General fitness for work, screening for infectious disease and a pregnancy test (for female workers) are part of the standard pre-employment medical examination. Workers in the Construction, Marine Shipyard and Process (CMP) sectors will also be required to undergo additional health screening relevant to their work environment.
Key medical examination requirements:
- Must be done at a MOM-approved clinic – full list can be found at mom.gov.sg Must to be completed after worker arrives in Singapore, before Work Permit is
- Female Work Permit holders are required to undergo medical screening every 6 months during the entire period of employment – the employer is responsible for arranging and funding all medical screenings
- Workers who fail the medical examination will not be granted a Work Permit and will have to be repatriated at the employer’s expense.
Employers in the construction and CMP sectors are also required to ensure that workers who are arriving in Singapore for the first time undergo the Settling-In Programme (SIP) – a mandatory one-day orientation at MOM’s Assurance, Care and Engagement (ACE) Group facility. The SIP levy is SGD 75 per worker and should be borne by the employer.
Can an Agency Apply on My Behalf?
Yes – and for most employers bringing in foreign workers from overseas, using a MOM-licensed employment agency to handle the Work Permit application is the most efficient and reliable way to go.
An authorised agency will be able to take care of the entire process on behalf of the employer: quota checks, sourcing candidates, preparing documents, submitting to WP Online, managing IPA, coordinating insurance, registering with SIP. This is particularly beneficial for employers without dedicated in-house HR teams or those unfamiliar with MOM’s application portal and compliance requirements.
What 114 Solutions handles for employer clients:
- Pre-application check on quota and levy
- Sourcing candidates from approved source countries (Myanmar, India, Bangladesh)
- Preparation and review of the full document prior to submission.
- Submission and status monitoring of the WP Online application
- Coordinating worker travel and handling IPA letters
- Support for security bond and insurance arrangements
- Medical examination and registration of SIP
- Coordination of Issuance and Delivery of Work Permit Card
Only MOM licensed employment agencies (with a valid EA licence) can apply for Work Permits on behalf of employers under MOM regulations. Always verify your agency’s EA licence number on MOM’s agency search tool at mom.gov.sg before engaging their services
Key Takeaways
To get a Work Permit in Singapore is a formal process that starts with the employer. There is some careful preparation that must be done before a single form is filled in. Getting it right the first time can save weeks of delay and penalties.
- All Work Permit applications are submitted by the employer via MOM’s WP Online (WPOL) portal using CorpPass – the worker cannot do the application himself.
- Application fee SGD 35 + issuance fee SGD 35 upon approval (total SGD 70 per worker)
- Processing a complete, compliant application takes about 1 week. Applications that are missing or contain incorrect documents take longer.
- The IPA is not the Work Permit – the employer still has to buy the security bond, insurance, arrange the medical and complete the SIP before the pass is issued.
- All non-Malaysian workers are to pay a security bond of SGD 5000. Please liaise with your insurer immediately after IPA
- Settling-In Programme (SIP) is compulsory for first-time construction and CMP sector workers — SGD 75 per worker, to be arranged by employer
- All female employees are required to undergo medical screening every 6 months, all of which are funded by the employer for the duration of employment
- MOM-licensed agencies can handle the whole application process – check EA licence before engaging an agency
For the latest application forms, quota calculators, and approved clinic lists, visit mom.gov.sg.
Let 114 Solutions Handle Your Work Permit Application
114 Solutions is a foreign worker agency in Singapore and is MOM-licensed. We take care of the full Work Permit application process for employers in the construction, marine shipyard, process and manufacturing industries – from quota check and candidate sourcing to IPA management, insurance coordination and pass issuance. We have a proven track record of first submission approvals and have processed hundreds of successful Work Permit applications for Singapore employers.
Get started today: Visit our Employers page or call +65 8112 8544. Explore our full manpower services for construction, industrial, and safety professional recruitment.
